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Cheddar-Crusted Chicken with Garlicky Spinach

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 23, 2012

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Cheddar-Crusted Chicken with Garlicky Spinach

Ingredients

1 ½ cups crispy rice cereal, crushed6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 ½ cups)4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmedSalt and pepper 18 ounces (18 cups) baby spinach 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 garlic cloves, minced

Before You Begin

Grate the cheese yourself. Store-bought shredded cheese contains cornstarch and may not adhere.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray rimmed baking sheet with vegetable oil spray. Combine cereal and cheddar in shallow dish. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge both sides of breasts in cereal-cheddar mixture, pressing to adhere, and arrange on prepared baking sheet. Bake until chicken registers 160 degrees and coating is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer to serving platter and tent loosely with aluminum foil.
  2. Meanwhile, place spinach and ¼ cup water in large bowl, cover, and microwave until spinach is wilted and decreased in volume by half, about 4 minutes. Transfer spinach to colander and, using rubber spatula, press to release liquid. Transfer spinach to cutting board and roughly chop.
  3. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add spinach to skillet and cook until uniformly wilted and glossy green, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer spinach to platter and serve with chicken.
Cheddar-Crusted Chicken with Garlicky Spinach

Cheddar-Crusted Chicken with Garlicky Spinach

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 ½ cups crispy rice cereal, crushed
6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 ½ cups)
4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
Salt and pepper
18 ounces (18 cups) baby spinach
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced

Ingredients

1 ½ cups crispy rice cereal, crushed
6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 ½ cups)
4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
Salt and pepper
18 ounces (18 cups) baby spinach
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced

Ingredients

1 ½ cups crispy rice cereal, crushed
6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 ½ cups)
4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
Salt and pepper
18 ounces (18 cups) baby spinach
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced

Why This Recipe Works

Crushed rice cereal and shredded cheese make a crunchy, flavorful coating.

Before You Begin

Grate the cheese yourself. Store-bought shredded cheese contains cornstarch and may not adhere.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray rimmed baking sheet with vegetable oil spray. Combine cereal and cheddar in shallow dish. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge both sides of breasts in cereal-cheddar mixture, pressing to adhere, and arrange on prepared baking sheet. Bake until chicken registers 160 degrees and coating is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer to serving platter and tent loosely with aluminum foil.
  2. Meanwhile, place spinach and ¼ cup water in large bowl, cover, and microwave until spinach is wilted and decreased in volume by half, about 4 minutes. Transfer spinach to colander and, using rubber spatula, press to release liquid. Transfer spinach to cutting board and roughly chop.
  3. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add spinach to skillet and cook until uniformly wilted and glossy green, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer spinach to platter and serve with chicken.

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